C H A P. 2 . C'hriff underwent the Cur fe of the Lary. 4 41 intention of it , might be executed; but on the contrary , that it might not be exe- cuted, I meane upon thofe , who being otherwife ohnoxiour unto it should beleeve. inf. Though it be time , that God required the death & fufferings of Chrift, . not that the Law either in the letter or intention of it might be executed , as to that wherein it was difpenfed with :;yet God required the death & fuffe- rings of Christ, that the letter & intent of the Law might be executed, as to that wherein it was not difpenfed with : that is , as to the punishment therein threatned ; And unlefs the Law , às to this , had been executed , no man obnoxious toit, should have efcaped , and that becaufe of the Veraci. tyofGod, yea & becaufe of his jufl ice which he had determined to have Satisfied , ere finfull man should efcape the punishment. In the next place he tels us , that God ?ltd not require the death dT fuff rings of Chrifl , as a valuable eonfideration , where on to dtfpenee with his Law towards thole that beleeve , nacre (if fo much ) in a way of Satirfall ion to his jtiftice ,.than tohir wifdom. Anf. This favoureth rankly of Secinianifine. It is not for us to make filch comparifons, as if God's Wifdom & juflice were not at full agree- -. ment , and were not one. The Scripture tels us, that God fet forth jefusChrifi tr be a propitiation through faith in hir blood, to declare hi: Rjghteoufnefs for the re- JM!ffion of fins that are pall , To declare , I fay , at this time his kighteoufnefr , that he might be full d1' the juflifrer ofhim , which beleeveth in e fur. ko>ot. 3:25, 26. And fo it is marnifefl, that Satisfaction to jullice was hereby intended : And this is enough to us, who know alto , that in the whole contrivance of the bufinefs , the Infinite Wifdom of God is eminently relucent; And Love not to make any fuch comparifons : only we think, that a Propitiation, and $atisfattion, & the like termes , ufed in Scripture , in the exprelfing of this matter , have a direct afpect, & bear a manifefl relation unto juftice; and correfpond di ally yea clearly enough inferrethefame, though there were no other mention made exprefly of the juflice of God , in this matter. What faith he next to prove this . for ( doubtlefr ) God might (faith he ) With a: much juflice, as wisdom (if not much more) have paffed by the eranf- greffïon ofhis Law, without confiderátion of fatisfartion. Anf. What God might have done by his abfolute Soveiaignity antecedent to his defigne & pur pofe , as to the punishment , or the reatur pcen,e ( which muff not be exten- ded to the reatus culpe) is not to the quettion. But now , the Lord, ha- ving declared his determination purpofe to rule & governe the world thus, & to have the glory of his relative jullice mani felled in the Salvation of loft man , could nt according to juflice, paffe by tranfgreflïons, without a fatisfaction. He adds. No man will lay, that in cafe a manhath bin injured d" wronged that therefore he is abfolutly bound in juflice, to leek fatirfablion, though he l'e never fo eminent in the grace ¿r praflice of juflice: but in many cafes ofinjuries fuflained, a_ man may be bound, in point ofrnìfdom; drdifcretion, to fèek farts. faction in one kind or other. Anf. This is the Socinian way of argueing : & nothing to the pointe; for we are to look upon the Lord in this matter, not as a private man , who may difpenfe with injuries done him ; but as a Righteous Governour, who is refolved to demonftrate his .jutice & equitie, I i i S anf a;
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